WHEREAS, the time has come when another harvest has been gathered and a grateful people wishes to pay homage to Almighty God for their rich blessings ; and

WHEREAS, it is proper that we look back to the days of our first settlers, who despite hardships, potential enemies and even death, continued their struggle to establish a new land ; and

WHEREAS, following in their footsteps, we have endeavored to carry on their principles and precepts in our continued struggle to remain a free and independent people, and to aid others in achieving that same degree of freedom ; and

WHEREAS, in this particular year we should give thanks to the Almighty that another bloody conflict in which our sons were called upon to protect and preserve our hard-won liberties has ended ;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, J. Caleb Boggs, Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby set aside and proclaim Thursday, the Twenty-sixth Day of November, 1953, as a

DAY OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING

and urge all our citizens to gather in their houses of worship to give thanks for the many bounties which have been bestowed upon them. I further hope, that gathered together in our homes with our families and friends, we may ponder on the truth that here is the foundation on which our great nation was built.

Furthermore, let this also be a day of prayer for peace in the world and in acknowledgment of the special blessings given to us in the State of Delaware. Let us fly our State and National Colors with deep devotion and gratitude.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, J. Caleb Boggs, Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed at Dover, this Sixteenth

(Great Seal) day of November in the year of Our Lord One thousand nine hundred and fifty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one-hundred and seventy-eighth.